Thursday, September 06, 2012
Rods and Rhodies…
For the fifth straight year Historic Old Town Florence will be turned into a three block car show as 125 high-line classic hot rods line both sides of Bay Street on Saturday and Sunday. It’s the Rods and Rhodies, and this year it’s supervised by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with a core group of merchants in the Old Town area. The cars and trucks, from all over the Western U.S. and Canada, are attending by invitation only.
They’ll begin checking in Friday before going on display Saturday morning. Bay street between the bridge and the Boardwalk will be closed overnight Friday, as well as the first half-block of Laurel, Maple and Nopal Streets. They’ll remain that way until Sunday afternoon to provide a pedestrian friendly venue.
Cars will be on display until six Saturday and then again Sunday from 7 AM to 1 PM when awards will presented. Saturday night there’ll be a cruise through Old Town beginning at six pm.
The Goonies to Show at Miller Park
One key event Saturday night will be the third annual Drive In Movie Night at Miller Park featuring a showing of The Goonies, the 1985 Steven Speilberg classic that was filmed in and around Astoria.
The Boys and Girls Club, in conjunction with KCFM Radio have put together the evening that will feature live music and food beginning at 5:30. The Red Hot Smokin’ Aces will play hits from the 60s and 70s while the Boys and Girls Club will be serving up hamburgers and hot dogs before the show. The 15th street entrance to the park will open at 4:30 and cars will park on the infield for the eight PM movie showing.
Audio will be aired on AM 1250 and FM 104.1 KCFM. There’s no cost to attend, but donations for the Boys and Girls Club will be accepted.
I-Fun to Film Saturday
Organizers of a new website aimed at informing potential visitors about the attractions in the Florence area will take advantage of the crowds and classic cars this weekend. The Interactive Florence Universal Navigator… or I-Fun… will provide a 360-degree view of the area. The key component is an aerial view, filming of which is slated for Saturday morning.
Boomer Wright – “People have already volunteered; scuba divers to be scuba diving out there and we have some people that are going to be out para-sailing out there. And then also as we’re coming down the river the Coast Guard is indicated they’re… they want to be a part of this too so we’re involving as many people as possible.”
Boomer Wright, General Manager of Sea Lion Caves, says when visitors to the website watch the fly-over, they’ll also be directed to specific locations.
Boomer – “Basically what happens is there’s a little box that comes up and in that box people can click on it and it will go to their website.”
Wright says there will also be up close video of the businesses and attractions as well.
Boomer – “We’re actually going to take a buggy ride at Sandland. We’re gonna give, not only a person the overlook, but kind of, take a look at what the outside of what certain businesses look like.”
Some of the businesses, such as Sandland Adventures, will be offering free buggy rides during the filming. Space is limited, they say, and pre-registration is required.
Potential riders should call Sandland at 997-8087 for details.
